[Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: an alternative to hospitalization in a pediatric emergency department].
Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) was first introduced in 1973 as an alternative treatment. Since then, there have been numerous international case based studies including both children and adults with significant bacterial infections using this strategy. The protocol requires a careful screening and evaluation process of the patient. There must be no other motive for hospitalization other than the need for parenteral antibiotics.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the results of OPAT during a period of 26 months in emergency department of a Chilean pediatric public hospital.


RESULTS
During the study period 228,144 patients received medical care in the Emergency Department (ED) and 380 patients were admitted to the OPAT program after clinical evaluation and based on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of their parents. The major indications of OPAT were skin and soft tissues infections (50%) and pneumonia (28%) respectively. (beta-lactamic antibiotics the were most commonly prescribed. Thirty eight patients (10%) required hospitalization, mostly because of clinical deterioration. There were no deaths.


CONCLUSIONS
In our public hospital OPAT for treatment of significant bacterial infections constitutes an efficient and safe alternative to hospitalization allowing the child to remain in his home.
Suau C
Thelma
T
Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Infantil Sur, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. thelmasuau@yahoo.com.mx
Piñera M
Cecilia
C
Díaz W
Sergio
S
Troncoso R
Esteban
E
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002677:Chile; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents